February 19 Prayer

February 19 Prayer

“Why don’t you fast like we fast?”
Look how we do it, I’m more holy than you because….
Oh, what rhetoric and empty talk the early followers of Jesus had.
Do you suppose they were missing the point of a fast?

Why did we fast during lent?
What do we fast?

Lent is all about returning,
Laying down our selves as a sacrifice for others
Perhaps we should start here and fast comparing,
Fast our measuring judgements
Turn our focus away from these things,
That take our hearts down the wrong path
That leads to judgment
That closes the door for relationship

Shall we choose the fast that God has declared for us?
Return and delight in the Lord
Feast in His presence of mercy and grace

Rejoice in this very moment
As the sun rises and the clouds light up
with a gentle blush,
As if to say, “wake up you silly head”
Return to the Love that’s inside of you
That’s where you are to live today

Come alive in your fasting
from
shame and blame,
comparisons our convictions,
calls and causes.

And be the beautiful light to shine on others
With a glow of gentleness and acceptance
Like Jesus did
It’s not about your fast or mine
It’s about us

Fasting together
Following him on the road all the way to Jerusalem
That’s where your wounds will quickly heal,
And the glory of the Lord will follow.
When we cry out together,
That’s where He is,
and says,
“Here I am.”

Be with Jesus today, then you will be like him
No matter where the road takes you
Stay with him and you’ll be good
We all will be good
Together

Pause and picture in your mind someone you
have compared yourself with recently.
Someone you have criticized or think is better or less than you.
Bless them
now pray;

“Lord, we return to the kind of fast you desire for us
We lay down our comparisons and judgments
Forgive us we pray.
Keep us close to your heart today
May we follow you where you will lead us and
trust all will be good as we stay close to you.
Let our call and cause be to bring your glory here on earth.

Together we pray in Jesus' name.
Amen
Matt. 9:14-15,Is.58, Ps.37:1-6